U.S. to open Vanuatu embassy in latest move to counter China in Pacific Reuters

by admin Tuesday, April 4, 2023 07:56 am

Learn more about
Reuters home

My View
Following
Saved
2 minute readApril 1, 20235:25 AM GMT+5:30Last Updated 3 days ago
U.S. to open Vanuatu embassy in latest move to counter China in Pacific
Reuters

WASHINGTON, March 31 (Reuters) – The United States plans to open an embassy in the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, the State Department said on Friday, in Washington’s latest move to boost its diplomatic presence in the Pacific to counter China’s growing influence.

“Consistent with the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy, a permanent diplomatic presence in Vanuatu would allow the U.S. Government to deepen relationships with Ni-Vanuatu officials and society,” the department said in a statement.

Advertisement · Scroll to continue
“Establishing U.S. Embassy Port Vila would facilitate areas of potential bilateral cooperation and development assistance, including efforts to tackle the climate crisis,” it said.

article-prompt-devices
Register for free to Reuters and know the full story

The United States has diplomatic relations with Vanuatu, which has a population of 319,000 spread across 80 islands, but is currently represented by diplomats based in New Guinea.

The United States States reopened its embassy in the Solomon Islands this year after a 30-year absence and the latest State Department announcement follows a visit this month to the region, including Vanuatu, by U.S. Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell.

Advertisement · Scroll to continue
Other U.S. embassies are planned in the Pacific island nations of Kiribati and Tonga.

Despite the diplomatic push, the Solomon Islands announced this month it had awarded a multi-million-dollar contract to a Chinese state company to upgrade an international port in Honiara.

The United States and its regional allies have held concerns that China has ambitions to build a naval base in the region since the Solomon Islands struck a security pact with Beijing last year.

Washington has also been working to renew agreements with the Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) under which it retains responsibility for the islands’ defense and gains exclusive access to huge swaths of the Pacific.

The Biden administration is seeking more than $7 billion over the next two decades for economic assistance to the three countries, the State Department said last week, funds seen as key to insulating them from growing Chinese influence.

Advertisement · Scroll to continue
article-prompt-devices
Register for free to Reuters and know the full story

Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Eric Beech; editing by Kanishka Singh and Sandra Maler

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Read Next
Worldcategory
Analysis: China’s intensifying nuclear-armed submarine patrols add complexity for U.S., allies, article with image
6:42 AM GMT+5:30
Nuclear-powered Type 094A Jin-class ballistic missile submarine of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy is seen during a military display in the South China Sea
United Statescategory
Virginia teacher shot by 6-yr-old student sues school leaders for $40 mln, article with image
3:22 AM GMT+5:30
Michigan Republicans at war with themselves ahead of state leadership vote
Europecategory
Russian charged with war crimes may brief U.N. Security Council, article with gallery
2:41 AM GMT+5:30
U.N.Security Council holds meeting on Ukraine in New York
EXPLAINER
Trump hush money case: What is an indictment? An arraignment? A gag order?, article with video
12:28 AM GMT+5:30
Former U.S. President Trump indicted by Manhattan grand jury, in New York City
refinitiv_image_mobile
Newsletter | Every weekday.
Reuters Daily Briefing
The day’s top news in your inbox. We cover the world, from front lines to boardrooms. (This includes the Reuters Weekend Briefing.)

More from Reuters
Trump supporters turn out for his departure…
01:22
Former UK PM Blair on Good Friday talks 25…
01:29
Trump charges present hurdles for…
02:43
Trump supporters rally in Florida after…
01:02
U.S. enters uncharted waters as Trump faces…
02:57
NY DA accuses Republicans of…
01:51
Jury to decide if Fox liable for defaming…
01:43
Trump supporters rally at his Mar-a-Lago…
01:22
Turkey approves Finland for NATO, Sweden waits
02:07
‘How many more?’: Gun control protests in…
01:15

Site Index
Latest
Home
Media
Videos
, opens new tab
Pictures
, opens new tab
Graphics
, opens new tab
Browse
World
Business
Legal
Markets
Breakingviews
Technology
Investigations
, opens new tab
Lifestyle
About Reuters
About Reuters
, opens new tab
Careers
, opens new tab
Reuters News Agency
, opens new tab
Brand Attribution Guidelines
, opens new tab
Reuters Leadership
, opens new tab
Reuters Fact Check
, opens new tab
Reuters Diversity Report
, opens new tab
Stay Informed
Download the App
, opens new tab
Newsletters
, opens new tab
Information you can trust
Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the world’s largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world’s media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers.

Thomson Reuters Products
Westlaw, opens new tab
Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content, attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology.

Onesource, opens new tab
The most comprehensive solution to manage all your complex and ever-expanding tax and compliance needs.

Checkpoint, opens new tab
The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting and finance professionals.

Refinitiv Products
Refinitiv Workspace, opens new tab
Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a highly-customised workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile.

Refinitiv Data Catalogue, opens new tab
Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts.

Refinitiv World-Check, opens new tab
Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks.

Advertise With Us
, opens new tab
Advertising Guidelines
, opens new tab
Cookies
, opens new tab
Terms of Use
, opens new tab
Privacy
, opens new tab
Digital Accessibility
, opens new tab
Corrections
, opens new tab
Site Feedback
, opens new tab
All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays.